New Favorite Store and Giveaway

My new BBF Ashley at According to Ashley introduced me to an awesome online store today. It is so cute. So my personality. Seriously guys...when you all rush in September to get my b-day present...get it from here:

Swoozies

After finding this new love, I may need a second job! Here's a few of my favs:

Are those not the cutest? Now back to my Bff Ashley. She's hosting a swoozie giveaway! Does it get any better than that? So trot over to her blog and check it out! I'm gonna keep trying on these giveaways. I figure if I enter enough of them, eventually I'll have to win.

Maybe I'll host a giveaway on my 100th post....this is 58, so stick around!

It's looking yuck outside. Michael's working, I have a ton of errands to fun, I need to swing by a church for a receiving of friends for a friend's dad, swing by school to finish getting ready for a sub on Monday and clean house. As I lay here listening to the rain, I realize that during the big move I made in July, I didn't move an umbrella with me. My mom seriously hordes umbrellas. It's crazy. Guess I'll have to get this one from Swoozie:

Do you believe me now when I say I really like that store?

Next week is going to be a busy week. Our Church is having revival with Bro. Wayne Sexton. Mom's appointment is Monday at Vanderbilt. Keep praying! I've decided to go with her. We're taking an over-night bag just in case.

As Porky pig would say....that's all folks.

Kindergarten teacher by day--Car repo-er by night

Seriously how many of you can say that you’ve ever been part of a car reprocessing? And I do mean on the taking-end not the taken-from end. Well I can’t say I have either, but I came really close Tuesday night. And from the moment the story first started developing I knew it was going to be great blog material. Ha! I’m really sad that we didn’t actually get to take a car but we were totally prepared to do so if opportunity permitted.


It was actually a rental car from the place Michael works. It had been rented for over a month. I’m dying to let loose on some good Repo-Joe jokes, but I will reframe). Michael was given the key and told to go get it. So we found the address…and let me just tell you, it was a nice nice subdivision (these people had no need to be repo-ed from) (or actually maybe all their money went to the house payment). We drove by the house several times….no car. We drove by with the windows down pushing the panic button (to see if it was in the garage)…no car. Michael even knocked on the front door…no car. Funny thing, it was returned that night after we tried to make the pick-up.


I’m serious thinking about an evening job! I was thinking about the bounty-hunter but I hear now there is a car-repo-tv show...Maybe I'm better suited for that.

A little this and a little that (Randomness)

I always have great ideas for a post, then I write a post, publish it, and realize that I forget to include half of my great ideas. I thought I'd do a quick lil post on things I forgot to tell my blog-reading-friends.

• The 11 inches that was cut off my hair went to locks of love. I had always wanted to do that.
• I love love my new hairstyle style. I feel like a new woman, and best of all, no one has said anything negative about it (at least not to my face).
• Last night I took this to brothers. I had been wanting to make it. If you need the ultimate sweet fix, you should try it. Pretty yummy!
• I really want to win this, but haven't been able to leave her a comment. Something is wrong with the verification part of blogger. I'm starting to get sad about it! (Update: Not sure what I did different, but it just worked! Hooray!)
• My roses are dead.

That's all for now. I'll remember more later.

At the brothers

I got a text from brother today inviting us up tonight for dinner. It was very sweet. For those of you who don't know...Dad's back in the states (I'm guessing for not long, but we'll see). It was nice to spend time with all of them. We had a great dinner and a hoot playing apples to apples. And you, my lucky blog readers, are just that...lucky, because I took my camera for documentation. Without further delay.....

Dad and the dignified card.

Cute cute!

I just found a super cute giveaway! Who doesn't like a giveaway? You can find it here:

http://whitneycarolinedesigns.blogspot.com/2009/02/so-what-is-whitney-giving-away-next.html#comments

I tried really hard to get her cute lil button on here but couldn't get the whole thing to copy and paste. Some of tech savy friends will have to explain the how-to to me.

Sunday's Scriptures

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

--Proverbs 15:1

Now you see it.....

Made a small change today!

One of those days....

Have you ever had one of those days? I mean one of those....have a flat tire, forgot your cell phone at home, have to walk in the rain to call the husband, don't know the husband's number, have to call the mom instead, then walk back in the rain to the flat-stranded car, realize when you get back to the car that even the heated seats can't help what the rain-walk has done to your cold/sinus symptoms, watch your husband change the tire in the rain, feel so so guilty, have to go home and change out of your wet clothes, brush your once straight-flowing hair that is now frizzy and krinked (I so just made up a word!), arrive at work 30 minutes late, have to tame the now wild 20 Kindergartens, add 30 extra minutes to your work day sitting in another (interior) classroom in relaxed tornado-drill-mode because it's not safe to dismiss school, watch part of your hard cooked supper spill onto the oven door--kind of Day? I might be familar with the such.


The good news? Remember a couple of weeks ago when I was locked out of the house? I never admitted to all my faithful readers (surely the two of you will forgive me) that I never found the key. Found it today. In my purse. In a pack of gum. The odds.


Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

--Isaiah 41:10

Banquet Pictures

*Update: I think I got the technical difficulties straightened out. I meaning Ashley. I really think she's a blog genuis!

This picture is suppose to symbolize the fact that we totally bombed the newly wed game. Seriously out of like twelve questions we got one right. It was really sad. We lost so bad.











Whats even more funny is that neither one of us were successful in making an "L" in this picture....yeah we are just too cool like that.

Bombing the game really doesn't bother me. I know we are happily married. Does it even matter that we can't agree with what I wore on Sunday or how we would describe our first kiss? I think not...I'm happy just knowing he loves me and I love him!

Here are the rest of the pictures in a smilebox. My camera didn't save all my pictures so I stole a few from Jen's blog and am going to steal more from punk(that's why some are blurry)...but until then:

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Valentines Gifts

Where did this weekend go? We had a great weekend but it went by entirely too fast! Saturday evening we went to a Valentine’s Day Banquet. I’ll post pictures from it later. Right now I just want to share a few Valentines gifts that I received. Michael and I find ways daily to express our love and appreciation of each other. However Valentine’s Day just makes it a little sweeter. These are pictures of my beautiful roses, Turtle candy, and Dove chocolate (I never really like diets anyways!)

Michael is one of the best gifts I’ve ever been given. I prayed for years for a husband, and likewise him for a wife. Then God placed us together. There is nothing like the peace of knowing that it was God’s will for us to be together. Many times the word love doesn’t seem strong enough to express how I feel about my husband. He is the most amazing man I know. Often times we tell each other that we love love the other. This was our first V Day as a married couple….I can’t wait for many many many more to come!!! I love love you, Michael Jones.

Then my sweet mother gave me this beautiful necklace. I know the picture isn't great but it's two hearts (both outlined in diamonds). She wanted to get us girls something special in case she ends up having to go to Fl. for the several weeks of radiation. Isn't that sweet? It's suppose to represent her heart and mine. (Awwww).

Misty tell Josh that I would love to tell him that mom loves me more, but before he goes and gets his feelings hurt, I believe he has a special gift coming too.

Sunday's Scriptures

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

--Proverbs 3:5-6

Yet more randomness

I've been a woman of few words this week (in the blogging world, at least). It's been a long tiring week. I've thought about blogging a couple of times but I was too...tired. I was super busy at work, with midterms and a Valentine's Day Party all in the same day. Michael always laughs when I mention midterms for kindergartens. I find them anything, but funny! It takes forever to test each little one individually while keeping the others engaged in learning.


I'm not complaining just explaining. God gave me another good week, and for that I'm thankful.


I don't think I mentioned on here about Michael's old job in Chattanooga. This week the owner was arrested for wire fraud and all his businesses were shut down. Meaning if we were living in Chattanooga, Michael would be unemployed. Kind of a scary thought.


This verse has been on my heart this week. God keeps bring it to my memory.
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
--Philippians 4:11


Being Valentine's Day tomorrow, I have bunches of mushy stuff to say about my love but I'll save it for another post. We are going to a Valentine's Day banquet tomorrow night so I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures to post afterward.


One more random thought: I saved $26 at the grocery store tonight using my coupons. *big smile* I lucked up this week and got some really good coupons in the mail from Krogers based upon what I buy the most of. That makes me smile.


Have a good night.

The Lord is Good

I’ve been thinking about how’s God’s been working in our lives. He is truly good, while I’m completely unworthy.

O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 107:1

I stand in awe at his power, and want to draw closer to know him better. I can’t understand how people can make it without the Lord. He has really manifested himself in my life recently. For example, today at school I prayed about a decision I needed to make and within 5 minutes I had perfect peace about it.

He is really working in the situation with mom. It is truly amazing:

Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
Psalm 150:6

Coupons and Old Friends

I have decided to give coupon cutting a try. The funny thing…I’m really excited about it. Kim said my life reminds her of a Lucy episode. If she had seen me gleefully cutting out coupons this afternoon she’d really thought that. The thoughts of saving $ makes me giddy.


In my research of couponing (yes I researched it because I’m goofy like that) I’ve found some interesting stuff.


Here’s a great blog some of you might be interested in: http://www.littlehouseinthefoothills.blogspot.com/ I am finding it very helpful. I was acquainted with Mrs. Lori (the author) in years gone back. We had lost contact but have been talking recently through emails. She is a sweet Christian lady that’s been an encouragement to me. Her blog has lots of recipes, tips, and other homemaking ideas. So skip right over there, and enjoy!

Sunday's Scriptures

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.

--Ephesians 2:8-9

Blog Makeover!

Stephanie here posting from my car in the drive way.

Why am I in my car in the driveway, writing a blog post? No. I'm not hiding my blog obsession from my husband (he already knows). No. I'm not indulging in my love of the Jetta's heated seats. No. I'm not on the phone again to mom (she pretends to be the answering machine when I call now *sad face*).

The real reason I'm sitting in my car is because my house key is in the house on the bar! Nice, I know. I'm just really thankful I left my computer plugged in at school all day so that the battery is nice and charged.

Anyhoo...back to the point at hand. Is this not the best looking blog around? Come on, admit it, you are so jealous! I absolutely love love it! I so wish I could take complete credit it for it but I can't. Thanks Ashley, you are awesome.

Now has anyone seen my key-bearing husband?

Love Love This Picture!

Only Imagine....Michael and Stephanie in 50 years....I'm loving it!!!

Boogers in my Throat

Imagine…there I was in a big way of teaching. I could see the lights clicking on. The power of being a great teacher was quickly going to my head. All 40 little eyes were looking at me, all 20 minds focused on the lesson. Such a moment….and then….the voice spoke up…..”Mrs. Jones, I feel like I have boogers in my throat.”

Our day went downhill from there!

Seriously, you need not to worry about me. I do not have a big ego. I can’t.

Is this post relevant to anything? No.

Is it hilariously funny? No.

Does it have a great post title? Oh, but yes!

Thank You

Your life can change in just a moment. Burdens change. Priorities change. Everything. It's only been 3 days since I found out about mom. It's hard to even say the word 'cancer' now. I guess I share mom's wacky sense of humor. We've made jokes and have acted silly but the heart of the matter is serious. My heart breaks for her. I wish I could change everything. It's in God's hands....but at times like these its hard to trust.

What has amazed me most at this time is the outpouring of love and concern from friends. It's times like these you realize how many true friends you have. Right now in my yahoo inbox I have 9 emails expressing concern and prayers for mom (I have great intentions to write each of you back). I've had comments left on my blog, comments on mom's blog, text messages, phone calls, notes, and other comments. I know of 5 churches already praying for mom and I'm sure there are more we do not know about. I appreciate it with all my heart and I know mom does also. God is good, and there will grace. For now all we can tell you is Thank You! One day we hope to repay the kindness you have shown. We love you all!

Mom's Blog

I love unexpected snow days. They are even better than expected snow days. There is nothing like lying in bed and getting a text @6 am saying school is canceled. The only problem is that then my mind is racing 100mph and I can't go back to sleep. But I'll definitely take that over actually getting up and going to work anyday!!!!

After sleeping in (to an ungodly hour) I watched a few "I Love Lucy" episodes (I was able to use a gift card and get the first season on Dvd and I'm really excited *cheesy grin*) and I worked on mom's blog for several hours. I wanted to wait until it was perfected before giving out the address but I know several people are already looking at it so I'll go ahead and post it. It is:
www.therewillbegrace.blogspot.com Check it out. Let us know what you think. Also keep in mind that it may undergo cosmetic surgery in the next few days. Mom is working on learning to use it. It took me awhile to understand when she says Earl she really means U-R-L! She's sharp, she'll get the hang of it before too long.

Well since our bellys are full and dishes clean, think I'll curl up with my hubby and force a "Lucy" Episode on him....fun times!

Prayer for my mom

It is past midnight and I am not a nite owl so this post may be a little scattered.

I would like to ask you to say a prayer for my mom. A few months ago she found a lump in the back of her mouth/throat. After many doctor visits, She has been diagnosed with Adenoid Carcinoma of the minor salivary gland (hard palette). The ear nose throat specialist has sent her test results to Vanderbilt for review. She should be hearing from them this week. The treatment for this type of cancer is normally surgery to remove it and then radiation treatments.

My parents have been talking to an oncologist in Fl. The good news is that this cancer is completely curable. If it is caught early enough it can be completely cured. It is not a type that goes into remission. Please pray that it is confined and the treatments will cure it.

It was only a few months ago we watched Kiah go through eye injections. God touched her and her vision went from 400/20 back to normal.

The oncologist they are talking with in Fl. is actually a man that Wendell went to school with. Not only is he an oncologist but he actually wrote the book chapter on adenoid cystics of the trachea in the Radiation Oncology textbook. We serve an amazing, all knowing God!

The road to recovery will not be easy or short but I have a tough mom and an Amazing God. Mom is working on starting a blog. I'll post the link for it when it is up and running.

God is my rock! (Sunday's Scriptures)

I'm a little late on posting my normal sunday's scriptures....well actually I'm really late. It's been a long long day (more about that later). Plus I was in personal need of the right scriptures. I'm so glad God is our rock and we can run to him and his word in times of trouble.


For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
--Psalm 27:5


For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
--Psalm 31:3



He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
--Psalm 62:2



He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
--Psalm 62:6


In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
--Psalm 62:7